Publication Details

Guide for Curing Portland Cement Concrete Pavements, II

Primary Topic: Materials-Concrete

Description: Information on the current state of knowledge of curing hydraulic-cement concrete and on current curing practice was gathered by means of a literature review and a review of current standard guidance. From this information, a draft guide for curing hydraulic-cement concrete pavements was developed. Draft guidance was based around type of curing used (water added, water retention by sheet, or curing compound) and around temperature effects. As a result of review by the project technical advisory panel, additional information was gathered from existing sources on several subjects. Laboratory studies were conducted on topics for which information was needed but not currently available. The result of the investigation was a set of guidelines that focused particularly on attention to details of moisture retention and temperature immediately after placing (initial curing period) and on details of selection of materials for final curing and determining when to apply final curing. Test methods for evaluating application rate of curing compound and effectiveness of curing were also reported. A separate report (FHWA RD-02-099 Guide for Curing of Portland Cement Concrete Pavements, Volume I) has been written that captures the details of the recommended guidance. That report is intended to be the principal technology transfer medium.